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The union sent a freedom of information request to 158 institutions asking about membership of their remuneration committee, also asking for a copy of the most recent minutes.

When asked about their vice-chancellor’s membership of the remuneration committee, 15 universities refused to respond and one said it did not have a committee at all.

Of those that did respond, and had a committee, almost half said the vice-chancellor was a member.

Of universities that said the vice-chancellor was not on the remuneration committee, all but seven said they attended its meetings.

Only a quarter of universities replied with unedited minutes of the latest remuneration committee meeting.

Jo Johnson, pictured, who until last month was universities minister, has called for an end to the ‘upwards ratchet’ of salaries

Pay for university chiefs has risen significantly in recent years. In 2015/16 the typical salary of a vice-chancellor was 6.4 times that of the average university worker, according to a government consultation paper in October.

Last year it emerged that the vice-chancellor of Bath Spa received a £429,000 golden goodbye when she left her role, on top of her £250,000 salary.

Jo Johnson, who until last month was universities minister, has called for an end to the ‘upwards ratchet’ of salaries.

A spokesman for Universities UK, which represents vice-chancellors, said: ‘It is right to expect that the process for determining senior university staff pay is rigorous and transparent.

'The Committee of University Chairs’ new remuneration code, currently being consulted upon, will provide important guidance for university remuneration committees to ensure senior pay decisions are fair, accountable and justified, while recognising that competitive pay is necessary to attract first-rate leaders.’

Published last month, the draft code says the process for setting pay must be transparent.

Under Government proposals, universities will have to publish the pay of anyone earning more than £100,000 and explain salaries of more than £150,000 – equivalent to the Prime Minister’s salary.

'Fear' that stops school hijab bans

Ministers are afraid of setting rules for wearing the Muslim hijab in schools due to political correctness, says the ex-head of Ofsted.

Sir Michael Wilshaw, ex-chief inspector of schools, believes headteachers need clear government guidance, but none has been issued for fear of being seen as Islamophobic.

This left heads ‘alone, isolated and vulnerable’ in the face of fierce parental opposition.

His comments came after East London primary school head Neena Lall was forced to reverse her ban on the hijab for girls under eight after vicious local abuse.

She was compared to Hitler in vile videos posted online by parents. Other primaries operate hijab bans, but in some Muslim schools it is compulsory.

Mainstream Islam says the hijab veil is only necessary after puberty – but some hardline communities impose it earlier.

Mr Wilshaw told Radio 5 Live yesterday: ‘The Government needs to step in. It can no longer say it’s up to the headteachers.’

Asked if a fear of being politically incorrect was to blame, he said ‘yes absolutely’ and stressed that it was important for schools not to let religious communities take over.